Serra let Astrid borrow her dark green blouse and white skirt with matching green trimmings. The blouse had long sleeves with flared cuffs and gold coloured cordage braiding the front together. The heavy cotton material was perfect for the cold of the tag end of winter.
“You seem partial to green,” Astrid noted, looking at her reflection in the mirror after the pair had spent the better part of an early morning rummaging through Serra’s extensive wardrobe.
“What else matches red hair better? It’s either green, black or occasionally blue. Deep purple can look good if I’m feeling daring. Anything else looks drab by comparison.
It was the next afternoon and Astrid was just heading to tend to Swift when she saw Sigwulf gallop his horse into the compound. He leapt from Kann’s back and sprinted past her, casting her a quick glance as he ran past into the fortress.“He’s in a hurry,” a male voice murmured close behind.“Quite,” Astrid replied, tensed, and turned to look behind her to see the owner of the voice.A tall man that appeared to be only slightly older than her was smiling. “My name is Sir Berwyn. You’re that new girl I heard about. You’re from Derrell aren’t you?”Astrid nodded. “Astrid Chance.”
At Draynon’s orders, Sigwulf left the stronghold early the next morning to return to his office and keep an eye on any more orders about excavations of Galadon or Katrall history. Sigwulf was dressed in his administrative uniform of royal blue tunic, black hose and black half-boots. He thought that he was the first to arrive until he caught a flash of scarlet in his office. Briefly wondering if he should go to the staffroom first and find a hot tea, he quickly thought better of it and walked straight to his office where he greeted the Kalash Priest, his superior, it rankling that he had to pleasantly greet the man rather than killing the blood drinking scum.“My Lord,” Sigwulf said formally, bo
Astrid squirmed in her seat as Draynon stared at her. He stood up and walked around the desk to sit in the chair next to her.“Please tell me. Tell me about the knight, and you being my daughter. What other tales have you been spinning to keep us all safe, my little Astrid?Astrid looked up at the ageing knight who had been there when she was born and was now looking at her with a fatherly expression. Tears welled up in her eyes and she gave in. Astrid told him everything. Astrid sat in the chair, a warm cup of tea in her hands as Draynon stared out the window, watching the knights practising at the archer
“Ask quickly,” Astrid said in a strained voice.“Sir Wilson, my name is Lord Draynon.”“I know thee, friend,” the body replied in a voice that sounded as though it was far away. “What be it thou wish of the dead.”“You have the second half of the pendant of the Katralls. Where is it?”“Thy Princess be here?”“She is in the stronghold as we speak. Where is the pendant?”“In mine book. There the answer shall be found.”“Which one?”“Mine time groweth short. I must import to thee a warning. Beware the dark one.
Astrid awoke to the sensation of a cool cloth being placed on her forehead. She stirred and opened her eyes.“Good afternoon, sleepyhead,” Mary said quietly.“Mary?”“Yes, tis I,” the girl replied with an airy toss of her head.“What happened?”“I have no idea. Sigwulf brought you here yesterday and you’ve been asleep right through the night and until this afternoon. Serra said that Sigwulf told her you had fainted. Would you like a drink? Annabelle has just brought some chilled water up with some sliced lemons for taste dropped in it. We’ve been taking
Astrid squinted up at the cloudless sky for a few moments. “No one really interests me all that much. It’s not that none of the men are possibilities, but it’s just hard to find someone I can talk to.”She faced Draynon again. “All the knights my age either spend all their time staring at my chest, but that’s all what most young men do to any woman anyway, or they spend the rest of their time trying to impress me.”“And are you impressed?”“Not really, no. I can ride a horse nearly as well as most of them and I’m better with a longbow. So far, Sigwulf is the only one who can match my skill with a dagger or bow.
Inside, the music and dancing continued. Serra and Sharlett were happily showing Astrid how to play their favourite past-time, breaking hearts. The girls would appear demure, adorable and shy until a man approached them thinking them easy prey. The man would try a few blatantly obvious lines which the girls would mock, causing the man to leave feeling demoralised and dejected. Other times they would appear to swoon with delight and offer dazzling smiles to any who looked in their direction, while ignoring any offers to the dance floor by those offering little more than cheesy one-liners. The two girls coerced and cajoled until Astrid decided to play a time or to herself.A young man the
Astrid sat bolt upright with surprise and started swearing as she tried to untangled herself from her bedsheets. She was a sound sleeper but also a very mobile one. Astrid grabbed the yelling girl by her shoulders. Seeing how pale Serra’s face was in the light of the moon she immediately led the trembling girl to her writing desk’s chair and lit a candle. Astrid handed a glass of water to her trembling friend and made her calm down.“Speak slowly and quietly,” Astrid said in a firm but gentle tone after Serra was sitting and sipping the water.There was a timid knock on the door and a young girl opened it, her head peering around the corner.“I heard screaming,” the girl spoke softly. &ld